This biographical film of Czech composer Martinu is in two parts: the first part a recurring dream, the second a Freudian analysis of the dream. The dream is without real dialogue, starting with stock Russell themes: a kite, wartime lovers dancing (Mindbender), children in sailor suits.
Imagine that ten of the world's most well-known highly regarded filmmakers were given a free hand to make real any vision. Aria is that history-making film. Sexy, violent, thought-provoking and funny, here is the movie critics raved about, audiences flocked to see, and no one could stop talking about. Includes Bridget Fonda's electrifying film debut, a revealing and breathtaking performance from Elizabeth Hurley, and Theresa Russell as the trigger-happy King Zog of Albania.
Between them, the young duo of Benny Green and Russell Malone has a world of experience, having played with such jazz masters as Ray Brown, Harry Connick Jr., Betty Carter, Diana Krall, and Branford Marsalis. This live date captures the terrific twosome delivering a tasty palette of blues, standards, and ballads. Malone's guitar lines are impressive and encyclopedic, ranging from Wes Montgomery's ringing double octaves to Joe Pass's tender timbres. Green's pianisms imbue everything he plays with a haze of blues. They both treat chestnuts like Cannonball Adderley's "Wabash," Billy Strayhorn's "Intimacy of the Blues," and John Coltrane's "Moment's Notice/Lazy Bird" with dazzling and deft improvisations. Here, in front of an appreciative audience, these musicians beautifully highlight the difference between just making a record and actually playing music…